It would not be easy to change a mortal's fate. Bai Li was worried about her sister. "We should pay a visit to Star Lord Si Ming to see if we can learn anything about Yuan Zhen's mortal fate." She spoke once they entered the Fox Den. "We can't do anything until we find out what this ordeal is and when it happens."
"Star Lord Si Ming is quite eccentric. Even the Heavenly Lord cannot take a look in his Book of Destiny. It will be quite difficult for you two to find out from him." Ye Hua told them as he paced in the main room. Everyone else sat sipping tea while they discussed what to do.
The strong proud demeanor that Bai Qian had earlier was quickly turning to defeat. "Then what do I do?"
Ye Hua looked over to the queen. "Fortunately, Star Lord Si Ming owes me a favor. If I ask him in your place, it will be easier." His answer greatly improved Bai Qian's mood. "Really? Can you get it for me?"
Ye Hua nodded. "I will go see him and return once I find out."
"Qian Qian." Bai Li waited until her sister turned to look at her. "This is your promise, so I won't stop you, but let me seal your powers when you go to the Mortal Realm." Bai Qian looked at her confused. "Seal my powers?"
"The act of changing fate defies nature. Any magic you use to change fate will rebound back at you. Even a High Goddess could only take one or two hits of a biteback." She explained. Bai Qian seemed to understand and agreed to have her powers bound.
It was nightfall by the time Ye Hua came back with the Book of Destiny. Fifth Sister was quite impressed by the eccentric gods talent for storytelling. Apparently, the mortal Yuan Zhen will fall in love with a beautiful woman. However, his mortal father, the emperor, does as well and decides to make the woman a concubine. Out of jealousy, the mortal Yuan Zhen sleeps with and impregnates the beauty just before she marries his father. However, he is not aware that the child is his.
When the emperor dies, Yuan Zhen fights for the throne against his son, who he believes is his brother. The son dies by Yuan Zhen's sword. The woman who both the prince and the emperor is devastated by the news of her son's death and hangs herself, but not before telling Yuan Zhen that he killed his own son. Yuan Zhen is overcome with grief and wants to kill himself, but is forced to take the throne.
"Bai Qian is to take the position of Yuan Zhen's master? A Daoist nun?" Bai Li was trying hard not to laugh at the mortal role her sister would have to take on. When Ye Hua gave her a raised eyebrow she decided to explain. "My sister has very limited knowledge of Daoism. She much prefered attending tea houses than reading scriptures."
Bai Qian tossed her a dirty look. "I know enough!" A small chuckle finally left her throat. "My dear sister. I will have to visit you frequently so you don't blow your identity."
True to her word, Bai Li did visit her sister frequently. Because time moved differently in the Mortal Real, she didn't leave it often. Only one to retrieve documents regarding matters of Qing Qiu. She couldn't stay with QingQian, so she had to find a small place of her own. Luckily, she found a small abandoned hut to take refuge in. She had managed to get it cleaned up, with a little help from Ye Hua. Ye Hua returned to the Celestial Palace. Ye Hua had duties to attend to in the Celestial Realm. The Feast of Peaches would be starting soon and as Crown Prince he was obligated to make an appearance. However, A-Li was allowed to stay at the Fox Den with Migu since they would not be gone for more than a night.
She jumped in surprise when Ye Hua suddenly cloud jumped right into her small little hut. "Li Li, I haven't seen you in days. I missed you terribly. Have you missed me?"
She had just started getting ready for bed and wasn't really dressed for company. "I didn't know you would be visiting." She said gripping her chest just above her startled beating heart.
"I came to tell you some important news regarding the matter with Bai Qian. Do you know who reincarnated into Yuan Zhen's father in this lifetime?" He asked her. She thought about his question, but didn't know who would be important enough to make it noteworthy. "I can't possibly be your grandfather."
Ye Hua moved to sit on the small old bed along the one of the walls of the hut and gestured her to sit next to him. When she finally was settled he spoke to inform her of the information he just learned. "It isn't my grandfather, but that is close." At her questioning look he continued. "Lord Shaoyang of Dong Hua Zi Manor."
Bai Li's eyes widened when she heard Dong Hua Dijun's name. "Does Bai Qian know?" If Lord Dong Hua was in the mortal realm then perhaps Feng Jiu was there as well. "I just informed her." Ye Hua nodded.
"Li Li, could you get me a cup of water." Ye Hua asked her. She gave a small nod and went to get the water, which she nearly dropped when she returned to see Ye Hua in the bed ready to sleep. He sent her away so he could magically undress.
Ye Hua rolled back the quilt in a silent invitation for her to join him. "Are you sleeping on the inside or the outside of the bed?" She just stood there blinking at him. He finally got up and grabbed her hand, pulling her over to the bed. He sat down on it still holding her hand. "Inside or outside?" Realizing that he was determined to stay the night with her she finally mumbled "Inside" before crawling into the bed.
Ye Hua waved his hand to extinguish the candles, leaving the two of them in the dark. "Li Li." Ye Hua's voice drifted softly to her ears. "Do you know the immortal Si Yin?" Bai Li's heart stopped. Why would he ask about Si Yin? "I heard about him from Fourth Brother. They met during the war with the Ghost Realm. According to the book, both he and his sister went into seclusion with High God Mo Yuan. Why do you ask?"
She heard him move slightly before he spoke again. "I thought you would know more." He knew something. Somehow either her or her sister slipped up. She wondered if he knew or if he was just suspicious. "Why would you think I know more?"
"Ghost Lord Li Jing made a painting of Si Yin and has been searching for Si Yin's whereabouts in private." Ye Hua turned to look at her. "The painting landed in my possession. I took a quick look. and noticed it looked like Bai Qian dressed as a man."
She wondered if Bai Qian was aware of this painting and if so why didn't she inform her. She took a deep breath before looking over at Ye Hua. "That's strange. I have a cousin who looks a lot like Bai Qian as well. I heard that Fourth Brother even had a hard time knowing who was who." Not a complete lie. Xuan Nu was given the ability to morph her face into Bai Qian's for short periods of time.
"We should go to sleep." She turned and closed her eyes. Sometime during the night, in her dazed dream-laden state she felt the faint touch of a kiss on her neck and arms wrapping around her.
Bai Li was absolutely mortified to find her face snuggled into an amused Ye Hua's chest. Thankfully he took pity on her and offered to make tea while she rested a bit more. "Li Li, come bind my hair for me."
She looked at him. "Me?"
"Migu said that you and Bai Qian are quite good at combing hair. I have an audience with the Heavenly Lord today. It wouldn't be good to look disheveled." Ye Hua held up the comb waiting for her to take it.
She stood up and took the comb. "Bai Qian and I used to bind Fourth Brother's hair for him since he never learned how to. Now he doesn't really bind his hair except for special occasions which then he comes running to me for help." She told him as she slowly brushed and bound his hair. When it was finished, he looked his usual handsome self. "In the past, you…..It's nothing." Ye Hua spoke softly. He stood up and looked at her. "Li Li. Give these string of beads to your sister. She is no different than a mortal now. It is unlikely that she will encounter any danger but it is still good to take precautions."
She took the beads from him. He grabbed her by her arms and pulled her closer to him. "Also, don't forget, you can't use your powers." He reminded her before placing a kiss on her forehead. "I'll return to the Celestial Palace now."
It was a little bit later that she was finally able to give her sister the beads. "Ye Hua wanted me to give these to you. They turn calamities into blessings for mortals. You might not be a mortal, but with your powers bound you are like one."
As Bai Qian moved to take the beads from her sister her eyes caught sight of something that made a grin break out on her face. "Why, Little Six, is that a hickey on your neck?" She pulled out a mirror and held it so her sister could see the small red mark on the right side of her neck.
"How….?" She trailed off. Looked up to see her sister's teasing smirk and instantly knew what was going through her mind. "Nothing happened." With a wave of her hand the mark vanished under concealment. "Have you seen Feng Jiu?" She asked, wanting to change topics.
Bai Qian shook her head. "No, but I was going to check in on her today."
"I will join you." Bai Li cast her magic to turn herself invisible and followed after Bai Qian. Feng Jiu was apparently acting as Consort Chen, a royal concubine for the emperor. When they spotted her, she was sitting on a chair staring into a fish pond with a very depressed look on her face.
"Little Jiu, your Aunts are here to see you." Bai Li removed her invisibility spell the moment Bai Qian announced their arrival. Feng Jiu stood up and walked over to them. "Aunts, Aunts!" Tears started welling up in her eyes and she wrapped her arms around Bai Qian in a hug. "Aunts, I am begging you, don't take me away! I love him, Aunts! I can't lose him. I'm begging you, Aunts! I'm begging you!" Feng Jiu dropped to her knees. "I'll do anything to repay you in the next life! Please let me be with him! Aunts, I'm begging you."
Both Bai Qian and Bai Li looked at each other with a concerned expression. They recognized the spell cast upon their niece: the two-lives spell. It was a forbidden spell that altered personalities for a short period of time. Feng Jiu has apparently cast it upon herself. Now she was in hysterics thinking they were going to forcefully drag her back.
Bai Qian quickly hit Little Jiu's pressure point, knocking her out. She waited until Bai Li recast her invisibility spell before calling for the maids to take Consort Chen in. "Why would she use the two lives spell?" Bai Li whispered next to her sister as they walked back to her dwelling. Her sister gave a subtle shake of her head. She didn't want to speak lest anyone ask who she was speaking to and since they wouldn't see anyone.
Bai Li decided to stay with her sister that night for two reasons. One her sister had cooked food and two they were hoping that Feng Jiu would come speak to them. The two lives spell only lasts for a short time and she would be free of its influence by nightfall.
They had just started eating when their little fox cloud jumped into the room. "Aunts, unfilial daughter Feng Jiu has come to beg for forgiveness." Feng Jiu said as she kneeled in front of them.
"You've really used the Two Lives Curse?" Bai Qian already knew the answer but wanted her niece to admit it. "You are wise, Aunt." Feng Jiu lowered her head in shame.
Bai Li finally turned to face their troublesome niece with a sigh. "Sit and tell us what trouble you are into now."
Feng Jiu explained that she entered Dijun's dream to see if he had any wishes or desires that were fulfilled. Instead of wealth and power, he wanted the heart of a woman, one who would never leave him. She was there to offer him her heartfelt affections, until the woman he was to fall in love with arrived. Unfortunately, Feng Jiu couldn't play the part of the loving consort without the spell. They were happy to hear that she had not been taken advantage of by Dijun. After hearing her story, the two aunts decided to let her continue her role.
"When you were in Qing Qiu, you lived such a free and unrestrained life. Look, now you're feeding fish in this place, all for Dong Hua Dijun. What can you say?" Bai Qian asked, but before her niece could respond Zhe Yan appeared floating above them. "It seems Zizhu Quarters is a place for immortals. You came back?" Bai Qian was happy that hardly anyone came by her quarters during the night. Imagine the horror if a mortal caught a flying man or a woman suddenly appearing.
Zhe Yan lowered himself to the ground as the three females approached him.
"What are you doing here?" Bai Li asked, eyeing the old phoenix. Last she heard he was off chasing after their Fourth Brother who disappeared. "There's something I forgot to tell you. The day after you two left for the Eastern Sea banquet, Heavenly Lord's grandson, Ye Hua came to see me in the Peach Tree Woods and asked me things about you two from 300 years ago." Zhe Yan informed them.
Bai Li and Bai Qian looked at eachother with confused faces before turning back to Zhe Yan. "I told him that after your battle with Qing Cang you slept for a long time before waking up. He left and didn't ask anything else." Zhe Yan turned to look at Bai Li. "Little Six, your engagement with Ye Hua won't fall through, will it?"
Bai Li shook her head. She didn't think it was in danger, but Ye Hua has been acting strange lately. "I don't think so."
"That's good." Zhe Yan turned to address the only other female there, Little Jiu. "Zhen Zhen really misses your cooking. When will you have time to come to the Peach Tree Woods?"
Feng Jiu looked at the High God with a timid expression. "But I'm still repaying a debt in the mortal realm."
"Repaying a debt?" Zhe Yan looked Feng Jiu over before smiling at her knowingly. "The Two Lives Spell is working well on you." His comment caused both high goddesses to laugh.
Zhe Yan disappeared in a puff of clouds before Feng Jiu could argue her case. "Aunts, he's threatening me." Bai Qian rolled her eyes at her niece's naivety. "He's threatening you only because he wants you back to cook for Fourth Brother."
"That's true. By the way, Aunts, why did you come today?" Feng Jiu had forgotten to ask them why they were even in the Mortal World. "For Yuan Zhen." Bai Qian simply stated forcing Bai Li to explain it further. "Yuan Zhen is the Crown Prince's cousin. Events occured and he was sent here for a trial. Qian Qian is here to help him avoid the huge ordeal that is about to take place involving the beauty that both Yuan Zhen and Dong Hua Dijun fall for."
Feng Jiu turned to look at Bai Qian. "Have you thought of a plan yet, Aunt?" Bai Li was also curious as to what her sister had planned. "I have. On the day the beauty falls into the water, I will hold Yuan Zhen back and find someone to push Dong Hua Dijun into the water. Dijun will naturally go and save the woman. When the two fall for each other, Yuan Zhen will no longer be involved. Little Jiu, are you willing to be the one who pushes Dong Hua Dijun into the water?"
"I am restricted by the Two Lives Spell. I am not myself during the day. We will be lucky, if I don't ruin your plan. I am afraid I won't be able to do it." Feng Jiu spoke truthfully. "What about Aunt Li Li?"
Bai Qian looked at her sister. "I am afraid Lord Ye Hua would oppose the idea. If nothing else, I will have to push him in." Bai Li narrowed her eyes at her sister. She wasn't sure if she was teasing or being completely serious.
"I need to head back before the maids notice I am gone." Feng Jiu bowed to them before disappearing.
Bai Li too would have to leave soon, but there was one thing she needed to talk to her sister about. "Qian Qian, did you know that Li Jing made a portrait of you as Si Yin?" Bai Qian nodded. "He made one once a long time ago, before he left with Xuan Nu. Why?"
"Li Jing has been looking for you. A copy of that portrait made it into Ye Hua's hands. He asked me about Si Yin's resemblance to you." Bai Li caught her sister's worried look. "I told him about Xuan Nu and how she too looked like you. He didn't ask anything else. I thought you should know." Bai Li left that night with a sinking feeling that something bad was going to happen. She would have to keep a close eye on her sister when the time came.
The day they had been waiting for had finally arrived. Bai Qian had managed to convince Sang Ji to be the one who pushes Dong Hua Dijun into the water. Ye Hua, Star Lord Si Ming and her were watching from behind some rocks.
"High Goddess, you cannot stop worrying about you sister." Bai Li heard Si Ming speak from behind her. "I can't help it. I have a bad feeling." Ye Hua put his hand on her shoulder. "Li Li. Don't worry. Nothing will happen to Bai Qian."
She knew that they probably thought she was being silly, but everytime she had a feeling like this something bad happened. Her eyes looked up the moment the roc bird appeared. As the Book of Destiny said, the bird grabbed onto the beauty and dropped her in the water. However, instead of Yuan Zhen jumping in to save her, an invisible Sang Ji pushed Dong Hua Dijun into the water.
Bai Li's eyes grew as she realized her sister's plan had one fatal flaw. It hinged on the fact that Dong Hua Dijun would rescue the beauty from the water, but it seemed like his mortal self did not know how to swim. She watched as people jumped into the water to save the emperor, some knew how to swim while others did not. It was chaos.
She looked over at her sister to see if she noticed the flaw too. That is when she saw her sister falling into the river as if someone pushed her. With quick reflexes she froze time and used her magic to pull her sister over to her. "Li Li!" She felt Ye Hua grab her arm while Si Ming reminded her not to use her powers.
Bai Li ran to her sister's side as Ye Hua helped Bai Qian onto her feet. "Are you alright?" She quickly looked her over for injuries. Before she could inspect closely, however, she was spun around to a worried looking Ye Hua. "How are you? Are you alright?" He held her hands tightly. "You knew you were not to use magic."
Bai Qian smacked her sister's shoulder. "Didn't you tell me that any magic could rebound. Isn't that why you sealed my powers?" She knew the moment she felt the magic that her sister cast it. Her sister was still upholding her promise to Mo Yuan.
"If you are alright, then it doesn't matter what punishment I have to endure." Bai Li felt Ye Hua's grip tighten, he obviously didn't agree. "The question is who would push you?" Ye Hua spoke after contemplating. "Perhaps it is because the Crown Prince trusts his master so much it's attracting the envy of others." Bai Li didn't say anything, but she doubted that was the reason. There wasn't anyone around when her sister was pushed in, at least no mortals.
Bai Qian nodded her head but then she remembered that she completely changed Dong Hua's fate. "What's going to happen to Dong Hua and Feng Jiu?" Si Ming held out his hands in a formal gesture. "High Goddess, they are alright. This was the original trial for them to endure. In a few months, the Little Princess will get what she wants."
"That's good. In that case, you two should return to the Celestial Palace. It isn't good for a Crown Prince to stay in the mortal realm for too long. My task isn't finished yet. I have to go." Bai Qian tossed her sister one more worried glance before leaving to speak with Yuan Zhen.
Ye Hua gently pulled Bai Li over to a more secluded spot and turned to face her. "You should not have used magic. When we take on the positions of Heavenly Lord and Heavenly Empress what will we do then?" Bai Li gave him a confused look. "Heavenly Empress?"
"Have you forgotten? You will marry into Xiwu Palace one day." Ye Hua watched as she looked away shyly and wished he could tease her, he felt that she needed to know why he was so concerned. "When one becomes Heavenly Lord or Heavenly Empress one must endure 81 sacred blazes and 9 holy bolts of lightning. I'm afraid that you won't survive after suffering the consequence of getting your magic rebounded."
Bai Li knew that what he was saying made some sense, but he seemed to be forgetting one important detail. "But we aren't married yet. If you were to become the Heavenly Lord today, I wouldn't be named Heavenly Empress until after our marriage."
Ye Hua pulled her closer and smiled down at her. "Li Li. Are you blaming me for not proposing to you sooner? If I had married you 300 years ago then this worry wouldn't be a concern today."
"I was just saying that there is a good chance that I will have recovered from my punishment before your point would be a concern." She told him while trying to hide the blush slowly spreading across her face. "I am going to find Qian Qian. You should go back before someone questions where you are." She quickly pulled back and vanished before Ye Hua could do or say anything.
Bai Li received a rare lecture from her older sister about using her powers, but it was shortly followed by a thank you. They sat and spoke for a while about what transpired and what it meant for Feng Jiu. When the sun finally set, they decided to visit their niece as the Two Live Spell would have worn off. With a wave of her hand Bai Li once again became invisible and the two left the house. Before they could even leave the courtyard however, Bai Qian had a visit from Yuan Zhen. He had managed to catch the roc bird and begged his master to let him keep it until he returned to the immortal realm. Bai Qian agreed to let him keep the bird which made the boy extremely happy.
"What are you two doing?" Ye Hua's voice caused everyone to look up. The poor maid fainted at the sight of Ye Hua and Si Ming floating in the air.
"It's a new moon tonight and it's windy. You two should come down so that you don't scare others to death." Bai Qian suggested. The two immortal men lowered themselves to the grown and approached Bai Qian and Yuan Zhen.
Yuan Zhen was in complete awe at seeing Ye Hua and Si Ming. "Live deities! I'm actually seeing live deities! This is my first time seeing live deities." He then bowed to them. "Are you two coming here so late at night because my father is a wise and kind ruler who is about to go to heaven?"
"I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you. I'm here to see my wife." Yu Hua walked over to where the invisible Bai Li was. She dropped her invisibility spell. "He is here for me." Yuan Zhen's eyes grew wide. "A goddess! A real god…."
Yuan Zhen suddenly fell to the ground. "You do not have to worry. I erased his memory. Luckily, because of your skills, Yuan Zhen's fate was transferred perfectly. But Dijun's fate was slightly changed." Si Ming told Bai Qian. "I ask that you lead the way. I need to find Feng Jiu to ask for her help."
"You're asking her to lead the way? You'd be looking all night and you still wouldn't be able to find Feng Jiu. You should ask an earth deity." Ye Hua knew how poor the Bai sisters' sense of direction was.
Si Ming summoned a earth deity as Ye Hua suggested and asked him to take them to Handan quarters, where Feng Jiu lived. "Wait." Bai Qian called out before any of them moved a step. "My magic powers are sealed. Can you use your magic to send my disciple to his palace?" She didn't care which of them did it, so long as someone did.
After Si Ming sent Yuan Zhen to his palace, Bai Li turned to her sister and unbound her powers. "Let's go visit my worrisome niece." She said and they all proceeded to follow the earth deity.
Their visit to Feng Jiu was interesting to say the least. Apparently, the mortal Dong Hua Dijun was now in love with Feng Jiu. Because they changed his fate Feng Jiu would have to play the role of beauty, making Dijun fall in love with her before breaking his heart. They were forced to leave when the emperor showed up. But before they left, Bai Qian broke the Two Live Spell that Feng Jiu cast upon herself.
Bai Li felt Ye Hua gently grab her hand. They had just made it back to the hall Bai Qian was saying at. "I still have some things to take care of. You should go back to Qing Qiu tomorrow with Bai Qian. I'll come see you in a few days." He then turned to look at Bai Qian. "Watch over her. Alert me if anything happens." He was still concerned about the punishment she would receive for using magic.
Ye Hua rushed off the moment Bai Qian nodded. "Please don't be offended. We snuck out of the Feast of Peaches, so we have to hurry back. I will take my leave." Si Ming bowed lightly before leaving.
"I can't wait to return to Qing Qiu." Bai Qian exclaimed with a loud sigh before turning to head into the building. "Let's get some rest. You can stay here for the night." Bai Li glanced at the moon once before heading into the house as well. She managed to save her sister's life, but the feeling of dread was still lingering in her stomach. Something else was going to happen.
Qing Qiu was just as they left it. Peaceful and calm. Bai Li watched the still waters of the pond and tried to let it settle the uneasiness in her heart. "Aunts, you're back." Migu ran up to greet the two high goddesses.
"Migu, without me sending you on errands these days you've been living quite freely." Bai Qian noted the relaxed behavior of her normally frantic servant. "Aunt, you came back yesterday and took care of something big. Why are you saying it like you just came back?"
Migu's statement put both women on edge. Bai Qian had been in the mortal realm since she left. "Bai Qian's been in the mortal realm. When would she have returned?" Bai Li asked the tree spirit who they noticed was acting weird, like in a trance. "That's not right. You came back…. I think you told me to stay at Fox Den and not to go anywhere else." Migu smile at the two goddesses, not even noticing their narrowed eyes.
"He has been enchanted." Bai Li waved her hands in front of Migu and quickly dispersed the enchantment spell covering him. The moment the spell was broken Migu's calm dazed expression faded into panic. "Tell us what happened."
In a hurried panicking voice Migu stated speaking. "Aunts, you're finally back! Something horrible happened. Xuan Nu took on your appearance and took away Mo Yuan's body and Imperial great-grandson!"
Bai Li quickly pulled out her flute and removed its concealment spell and her sister quickly went to retrieve her fan. For the first time in thousands of years, their weapons would be used in combat. "Bai Qian, lets go!" Bai Li spoke to her sister as she finally grasped her fan. "Fan, I'm afraid you'll get a taste of blood again today." She heard her sister say before turning to nod at her, a sign that she was ready. They both cloud jumped to Grand Ziming Palace, where Xuan Nu was keeping their treasured people.
"We have to be careful. This entrance was heavily guarded 70,000 years ago. This could be a trap." Bai Qian whispered to her. They didn't make it past the entrance before soldiers dressed all in black started attacking them. Cloud covered the sky and lightning started sounding at the power of the two Kunlun artifacts being used. With every fatal strike, the soldiers disappeared making them realize they were apparitions of dark magic.
Bai Li dodged another slash of sword and hit the dark figure with a swing of her flute. She didn't notice the lightning in the sky had changed until she felt the searing pain from it's strike followed by several more. It appears her punishment for changing fate was going to happen sooner rather than later.
"Sixth Sister!" Bai Qian whipped her fan at one of the dark soldiers that had moved to attack the now kneeling Bai Li. She heard the crash of the lightning coming down and turned around in time to see her sister jerk forward and the blood trickle from the corner of her mouth.
Bai Li pushed through the pain, dodging another set of incoming spears. "Keep going!" she shouted to her sister. Her body was screaming from the pain, which slowed her down. A sword managed to clip her arm before she was able to fully get out of the way. Slowly the pain gave way to numbness as her nerves started shutting down and her mind focused on getting A-Li back.
They managed to push their way to the entrance to the palace building. Xuan Nu stood behind her remaining guards with a smug smile on her face. "Qian Qian, I trust you've been well since we last met 70,000 years ago. I heard His Majesty say that Si Yin is a woman from the fox tribe so I guessed it was you." Xuan Nu turned to look at Bai Li. "You must be Li Li."
Xuan Nu turned her attention once more to Bai Qian. "When I first saw Si Yin at Kunlun Mountain, I was stunned that someone else in this world resembles Qian Qian more than I do."
Apparently Xuan Nu forgot that the only reason she could look like Bai Qian was because of magic. Bai Qian slowly closed her fan before addressing the woman whose betrayal ruined her life. "You say you resemble me? Did you forget what you used to look like?" Qian Qian's words were making the Ghost Queen visibly upset. "It just so happens that Zhe Yan of the Ten Miles of Peach Woods has had a lot of free time lately. Why don't we invite him over to help you remember?" If the situation hadn't been so serious, Bai Li would have laughed at her sister's teasing words. They didn't need Zhe Yan to undo the spell. In the last 70,000 years, both girls learned how to change faces with magic.
"No matter what you say, I will take your life today. Then no one would look the same as me." Xuan Nu said with a crazed look in her eye. Bai Li couldn't help but notice that she was mainly addressing Qian Qian. It seemed that this was an act of hatred towards her sister, which meant she would need to stay alert if she wanted to protect her.
Xuan Nu once again had a smug smile. "Yesterday, I took Mo Yuan's body and your nephew. I knew you'd come find me. I've been waiting here for you the whole time." She took a few steps towards the two high goddesses. "You've been preserving Mo Yuan's body quite well. I'm really happy about it. My son will get High God Mo Yuan's vitality. Because of your contributions, I'll have them kill you quickly."
"That depends on whether you have the ability to do so." Her sister glared at the woman that shared her face. Bai Qian pulled her fan back and transformed it into a sword. It would be easier to fight in the small space with a sword rather than a fan.
Both Bai Li and Bai Qian forced their way into the building. It seemed like the soldiers had increased in number, which caused the two to seperate. Bai Li got struck with a sword after Xuan Nu cast a spell causing a bright light to fill the room. The Ghost Queen must of noticed her aversion to light. Lucky the stike was shallow, but it did leave a bloody line across her chest. Bai Li felt her eye covering come up to shield her eyes from the light before her back hit her sisters.
After a few more exhanges, Bai Li's eye covering was cut in to by a barely dodged attack. Qian Qian must of noticed her struggles and now was busy helping her block the attacks coming her way. However, soon both women were covered in cuts.
"Seeing you covered in wounds really makes my heart ache for you." Xuan Nu gloated. "Who will you call upon to save you now?" She then turned away a magic red filled her hands before gliding over her body, changing her face to look exactly like Bai Qians. "Since things have come to this, I'll tell you this. Back then, I used your face to get His Majesty to sleep with me."
Bai Qian scoffed. "So what if you can take on my appearance? You're just deceiving yourself."
Xuan Nu turned and glared at Qian Qian, hate clear in her eyes. "I've loved His Majesty for thousands of years, yet he can't forget about you." She paused, a slight crossing her face as Bai Qian once again winced from the harsh light. "Today, I'll take your life. Then, I'll be the only one in the world with this face. Naturally, His Majesty will protect me forever."
"Or he will hate you for killing the person he obviously still pines for." Bai Li snorted while rolling her eyes. Xuan Nu hadn't managed to become any more intelligent it seems.
Xuan Nu's face twisted into a snarl. "Kill them for me."
The soldiers charged at them. Every twist and flip another enemy dropped. She landed on the last enemy, Jade Flute sending a magic stab to the man beneath her. She snapped her head up to see Xuan Nu hiding behind Mo Yuan's body and a sleeping A-Li. She sent out a blast of dark magic towards Bai Qian who had released her fan.
Bai Li quickly stepped in front of her sister to take the hit while her sister used her magic to change the fan's trajectory so it wouldn't hit the two they came to save. She lurched back and felt a strong hand on her shoulder to help steady her.
Ye Hua kept her pressed to his side as he used magic to safely move and lower Mo Yuan and A-Li to the side. "Li Li." He said in a concerned voice when she didn't look up to acknowledge him. "The light." Bai Qian gestured to the light Bai Li was trying to avoid. He quickly turned it off, allowing Bai Li to finally look up.
"Tell me who injured you." Ye Hua whispered to her. "She suffered lightning strikes, probably the rebound for using magic in the mortal realm. We've already killed everyone who injured us. That woman is the only one left." Bai Qian spoke up instead. She knew that her sister probably wouldn't have mentioned the lightning strikes and Ye Hua asked her to tell him if anything happened.
Ye Hua looked over to the woman who looked identical to Bai Qian. "Do you want to take care of it yourself or do you want me to help you?" He knew that this was a vendetta that should be dealt by Bai Qian, but should she ask for help he would provide it.
"She humiliated my master and hurt my loved ones." Bai Qian stepped forward moving to stand in front of and just off to the side of Bai Li. Her eyes never stopped glaring at the dark goddess. "I will finish her myself." She snapped open her fan and sent it flying. Xuan Nu was not powerful enough to stop an attack from her fan.
A dark figure jumped in front of the Ghost Queen. Li Jing had blocked the attack from hitting who he thought was Si Yin. The fan came rebounding back towards Bai Qian. Bai Li went to grab the fan but Ye Hua beat her to it, pulling her tight against his chest as he caught it in his hand.
"A-Yin?" Li Jing grabbed onto the enchanted Xuan Nu thinking she was his beloved Si Yin. "Your Majesty. Your Majesty, I'm Xuan Nu." Xuan Nu might have had Bai Qian's face, but she did not have her voice. "Why do you look just like A-Yin?" The Ghost Lord apparently didn't know that his wife could change her face.
"Exactly the same, right?" Xuan Nu turned to look at Bai Qian. "Your Majesty, if we just kill that wench Bai Qian then I'll be the only one in this world with this face. If you like it, you can stare at me all day. I'll also keep protecting you."
Li Jing just kept looking back and forth between Xuan Nu and Bai Qian, he was completely confused. "You...What's going on?"
"That woman took my master" Bai Qian turned her head to look at Ye Hua. "and your son."
Li Jing looked shocked. "Son?" He couldn't believe that his wife had kidnapped the son of the Crown Prince. "Your Majesty, our son will get better soon." Xuan Nu pulled on Li Jing's shoulders trying to bring his attention back towards her. "Really. Look. Look at Mo Yuan. We'll turn him into an elixir." She pointed at the body on the ground before turning back to look at her husband. "Your Majesty, you were jealous of Mo Yuan in the past, right? You don't have to be jealous anymore. Our son will have Mo Yuan's vitality soon."
"Shut your mouth." Li Jing demanded. His wife didn't realize the severity of her actions. She kidnapped the Imperial Great Grandson and the body of one of the most respected gods. "Am I wrong?" Xuan Nu's voice was a little more harsher now. "You didn't give the Soul Jade to Bai Qian back then because you were jealous of Mo Yuan, right?."
Xuan Nu turned to look at Ye Hua. "Your Majesty, you don't know yet, do you? She is Si Yin and she is Si Lan."
"Xuan Nu, let me tell you something. Even if that body wasn't my master's I wouldn't let you have it because it is extremely precious. It's received blood from Bai Li's heart for 70,000 years. I'm afraid your son won't be able to handle that." Bai Qian narrowed her eyes.
Bai Li felt Ye Hua look down at her, his grip tightening just slightly. "Blood from her heart?" Li Jing whispered. He knew how close the sister's were. If Bai Li used the blood from her heart, it was probably to prevent her sister from doing it herself. "You mean…."
Ye Hua interrupted him before he could ask his question. "Li Jing, let's not talk about your past for the time being. I want to ask you how you plan on taking care of today's matters. Do you want to do it privately or publicly?"
"What happens if it's private? What happens if it's public?" Xuan Nu asked, not understanding that she had made a big miscalculation in getting back at Bai Qian.
Ye Hua didn't address the dark immortal female, instead he ignored her to speak to Li Jing. Bai Li could sense his fury slowly bubbling just beneath the surface. "If privately, then we pull the limbs off and skin your Ghost Queen, who doesn't know her place, to alleviate my anger. If publicly, the Celestial soldiers haven't fought a battle in a long time. They have a lot of free time. We can use this opportunity to see whose army has been training better after all these years."
Xuan Nu dropped to her knees and grabbed Li Jing's hand. "Your Majesty, are you really going to punish me that harshly? No, right?" Her voice trembled with worry. "Your Majesty, did you forget? Did you forget all the things I've done for you? Without me, would you be Ghost Lord?"
There was a pause, all eyes on Li Jing. After a bit, Xuan Nu spoke up again. "He wouldn't dare to deploy troops! He wouldn't dare." She looked over at Ye Hua with wild eyes. "Don't think I don't know that you wouldn't dare to deploy troops. You don't have that power! You're just the Celestial Crown Prince. Heavenly Lord wouldn't agree to deploy the troops for the sake of one woman."
Ye Hua stepped forward and finally addressed the Ghost Queen. "I'm not deploying troops for the sake of one woman. High God Mo Yuan is a highly-respected God of the Celestial Tribe, High Goddess Bai Li is the future Heavenly Empress, and A-Li will succeed my position in the future. Right now, these three people have suffered extraordinary humiliation at Grand Ziming Palace. Do you think the Celestial soldiers will just let this slide?" He didn't mention Bai Qian because as Queen of Qing Qiu, her involvement didn't particularly affect the Celestial Tribe.
They all watched as Xuan Nu grabbed Li Jing's hand while he thought over his options. "Xuan Nu was always a little crazy. Otherwise, she wouldn't have made such a grave mistake." Li Jing looked at his very concerned wife before turning to look at Ye Hua. "I ask that Your Highness show mercy."
"Bai Qian. Bai Li. Do you think we should show mercy?" Ye Hua looked over at the two High Goddesses of Qing Qiu.
Bai Li stepped beside her sister. "The Bai family's wrath is not so easily abated."
Xuan Nu's laughter drew everyone's attention to the crazy female. "Celestial Crown Prince, so much for you treating those wenches, Bai Qian and Bai Li, so well. You don't know, do you? Them and Mo Yuan…" Xuan Nu didn't get to finish as she was knocked back by a magic blast sent by Ye Hua.
"Li Li said that Bai Qian's face looks like yours… But I don't see any similarities at all." Ye Hua stated. Bai Qian's face had a relaxed elegance, while Xuan Nu's was twisted in hatred and bitterness.
Bai Qian slowly walked over to the crumpled woman. "I didn't mind giving you my appearance back then. But now that I see you using this appearance it really makes me unhappy."
"What are you going to do?" Xuan Nu shrank away from Bai Qian and gently touched her face. "I've always had this appearance. Don't even think about taking away my beauty! I wouldn't be scared of you even if you brought Zhe Yan here.
Bai Qian let out a laugh at Xuan Nu's pathetic appearance before dropping to one knee. "Why would I bring Zhe Yan here? I was just joking with you back then. Did you really think Zhe Yan is the only one in the world who can use magic to change appearances?" Bai Qian held out her hand and looked at it. "I'm not talented but I had nothing to do these past 70,000 years so I became proficient at this kind of magic. If you're really going to be skinned and have your limbs pulled, you shouldn't have this appearance while going through that.
"What are you going to do? No! No!" Xuan Nu shouted as Bai Qian summoned her magic to strip her altered appearence from her face. "No!" She wailed and proceeded to cry in hysterics. "Go take a good look at your face. I told you if you use Zhe Yan's magic to do evil deeds it'll come back to bite you." Bai Qian summoned a magic reflection that would force Xuan Nu to look at her face, which had been damaged because of her misuse of powers.
Bai Li watched as her sister came over to her. She could feel her muscles quiver from trying to remain standing on her own. She felt a strong arm wrap around her shoulders and a muscular chest against her side. "Rest." Ye Hua told her before turning to the Ghost Lord. "Li Jing. You do as you see fit." He was more concerned with getting Li Li back than punishing the sobbing Ghost Queen.
Bai Qian would have added more to the woman's punishment, but it appeared her face was punishment enough. Xuan Nu couldn't stand to look at her own reflection that she gouged out her own eyes. "How are we going to get them home?" she asked Ye Hua. Her sister was in a very weak state, A-Li was unconscious and Mo Yuan would have to be carried.
"I...will have some soldiers escort you." Li Jing summoned some of his most loyal guards and ordered them to carry Mo Yuan's body. Bai Qian carried the sleeping A-Li and Ye Hua carried Bai Li who had finally succumbed to exhaustion.
Bai Li noticed one thing when she finally awoke. Laughing made her body ache even more than it already did. Her sister had been tending to her minor cuts, when Bi Fang, Fourth Brother's mount, professed his love.
She was trying really hard to keep from laughing at her sister's shocked and embarrassed expression. "Li Li." Ye Hua entered the room where she was resting carrying a bowl of medicine. He paused realizing that he must have walked in on something.
"I am going to check on Mo Yuan." Bai Qian quickly stood and rushed out of the room with Bi Fang chasing after her.
Ye Hua sat down on Bai Li's bed and handed her the medicine. "Drink this medicine." he moved to feed it to her. "I..I can do it myself." She took the small bowl and brought it to her lips. She took the biggest gulp she could before handing the bowl back to him. "I am sure you have very important work to tend to. I am still feeling unwell and should get more rest."
"Li Li. You know that whenever you don't want me by your side your reason is always that you're feeling unwell?" Bai Li blinked at his question. When did she ever use this excuse before? She was usually careful about not using the same excuses lest she become as predictable as Fourth Brother. "I don't remember ever saying that before."
Ye Hua didn't respond to her comment. He moved closer to her and gently brushed some hair from her face. "Letting me get this close to you right now… Everything you've done for me since I've come to Qing Qiu… Is it only because we're engaged?... If you were engaged to someone else, would you also be like this?"
Bai Li felt her heart speed up. There were many reasons why he was here, why she let him close to her. "No. It's not just because of the engagement." She was a little started when he moved closer, a light smile on his face. "Since coming to the Fox Den you have cooked us, you helped get the Book of Destiny for my sister, all the while you are busy working. I have a lot of gratitude towards you." Bai Li paused a bit before continuing. "You have not only treated me very well, but also my sister and Migu."
She felt him pull her closer and his forehead rested against hers. "I've never cooked for anyone else. I've only cooked for you." Bai Li wondered if he forgot about his mortal wife, but decided not to bring that up. "You should cook for A-Li too. He loves your cooking."
Ye Hua let out a breath of frustration. "I didn't do all this for you because we're engaged. I didn't come to live in Qing Qiu just because A-Li misses you."
"Then why?" She blinked at him. He suddenly moved, dragging her to lay down while he caged her in with his arms. She closed her eyes when he looked like he was going to kiss her. Instead, though, he whispered to her, his hot breath caressing her lips. "Li Li, I love you."
Bai Li wondered if it was a holiday for confessions. First Bi Fang confesses to Qian Qian and now Ye Hua is professing his love for her. "Love is not something to take lightly." She wondered if the Crown Prince was confusing love and infatuation. They hadn't known each other long enough for it to be love. Besides, she wasn't sure he was completely over his first wife yet.
"I am not. I've never been more serious in my life. Without love, people can still be married for a long time. But I want to love you for a long, long time." Ye Hua moved to kiss her.
Before his lips could touch hers, she gently pushed him back. "I once heard that love can wane. You are young and in time you may find a new love. It wouldn't be good to profess love so soon and start making promises that will never be kept." She didn't know why but the idea of love and the promise of love lasting a long long time seemed to make her heart ache. Last thing she wanted was to be in the same situation as the current Heavenly Empress. Married to a man who had many concubines. The same man that had professed his undying love to her.
"Li Li. Do you really think that?" Ye Hua looked heartbroken. She wondered just how far his infatuation with her was. "Yes." She nodded. "Are you saying these things to upset me?" Ye Hua brought his hands up to her face. "I will only love you. I won't love anyone else." Gently he laid her back down into the bed and pulled the quilt up. "A-Li has already returned to the Celestial Palace. He will be fine after resting for a few days. I wanted to take you there too. The Heaven's Spring in Lord of Numinous Treasures Realm of Supreme Purity can help heal your wounds. But Bai Qian insisted that you return here saying that you should decide if you wanted to go or not."
Bai Li looked at him. She knew that he already was worried enough about her and the sooner she healed the less he, and Bai Qian, would worry. "The spring sounds nice." She could tell that her reply eased his worry some. "Hurry and get some sleep."
Ye Hua waited by her side until sleep finally took her. He couldn't help but wonder if Bai Li was only letting him close because she was in love with Mo Yuan. While Si Yin was known as Mo Yuan's favorite disciple, Si Lan was the one that Mo Yuan trusted the most, save for Zhe Yan perhaps. Mo Yuan has summoned Si Lan to his side several times, including the night before the final battle. While the stories suggested the relationship was more like that of brother and sister, he wondered if Li Li was in love with the famous High God. She was willing to risk her life in order to preserve his body. Ye Hua only wished that Li Li would love him as much as he loved her.
Bai Li woke up to a empty room. There was no sign of Ye Hua or Bai Qian. "Migu." Bai Li called out while moving to stand. The tree spirit came running into the room carrying several scrolls. "Aunt, why are you awake?"
"Are those documents for Ye Hua?" She asked pointing to them. Migu nodded his head. "Yes. I'm afraid that since Heavenly Lord wants the Crown Prince to succeed the throne, there are increasingly more and more documents. Because the Crown Prince has been taking care of you the past few days he hasn't looked at any of his documents. I just helped him organize them."
If there was one thing Migu was good at it was organizing documents. Because she didn't come to Qing Qiu too often he had to prioritize them so she could get the most important ones done first. "Where is Ye Hua? And where is Qian Qian for that matter?"
"He went back to the Celestial Palace. I think he'll be back soon. And Aunt went to check on Mo Yuan." Migu told her.
Bai Li nodded. She knew her sister probably wanted to make sure that Mo Yuan's body hadn't been injured. "Migu. Are there any documents for me to go over before I leave?" She figured she would be gone for several days and probably had documents piled up needing her approvals.
Luckily there were not too many documents and she managed to finish them all fairly quickly. Ye Hua had already returned and was busy working on the paperwork that he had neglected.
Bai Li flinched feeling her muscles throb when she stood up. It would be difficult for her to travel to the Celestial Palace like this. Perhaps she should take a refreshing dip in the small lake at the base of Fengyi Mountain. It didn't have the same healing properties as the Lord of Numinous Treasures' spring, but it would help her aching muscles.
The lake came from melted ice, so it was cold even in the summers. Bai Li took off her outer dress layer and stepped into the icy waters. It took some time to adjust, but once she did she moved her way deeper. Before she could get more than waist deep Bai Li felt herself pulled magically from the waters and into a hard shaking chest.
"Li Li." Ye Hua hugged her close to his chest, images of Su Qing jumping off the terrace flashed through his mind. Bai Li was shocked by the sudden move and behavior. Ye Hua was trembling and clutching her tightly against him. It was becoming painful, aggravating her already hurting body. She pulled back before the pain became unbearable and looked at him. "Ye Hua, what's….."
A pair of lips crashed against hers. The shock allowed Ye Hua's tongue to enter her mouth. It wasn't until he bit her lip that she came out of her shocked stupor and pulled away again. "Ye Hua, what's wrong?" she asked, concerned about him.
He pulled her to his chest again only gentler this time. His chin rested on her shoulder. "I thought you were going to jump into the lake." Bai Li didn't push him away since he obviously had the need to hold her. "I thought the cool water would help ease the aching pain in my body." He pressed her a little closer, but was mindful of her pain. "Li Li, I won't let you…" She didn't force him to finish his sentence since something about her entering the lack seemed to have triggered an emotional response.
"What brought you out here? Are you finished with your work?" She asked softly. Ye Hua seemed to have calmed down because he released her, allowing her to step back. "When Migu went to give you your dinner, he saw that you weren't there. He told me, so I came out to find you."
She was thankful when her stomach decided to rumble, breaking the awkward silence. "I am hungry. Let's get back." She noticed that Ye Hua didn't follow her right away. He was acting very strange and for some reason the sadness in his eyes made her heart ache worse than her body.
It was quiet when they walked. Neither Bai Li or Ye Hua spoke the troubled thoughts going through their minds. Ye Hua stopped, being the first to notice that they were no longer alone.
"Sixth Sister, did you drink? Why are you so red?" Fourth Brother teased as he walked with Zhe Yan over to the couple. His comment made Ye Hua smile and seemed to put him in a better mood. "Are you here for Bi Fang? He seems to have attached himself to Fifth Sister's side."
Zhe Yan looked between Bai Li and Ye Hua with a smile on his face. "Bi Fang sent us a letter this afternoon saying that you were beaten half dead. Your Fourth Brother and I thought this was a rare occurrence and came back to see how you were beaten half to death."
"I wasn't beaten half to death, just heavily injured. Sorry to disappoint. Next time I will remember to send you a letter when I am half dead, so you won't miss the rare chance to tease me for my mistakes." She really wasn't in the mood for Zhe Yan's teasing. It was rare that she got injured, usually she was more cautious
Zhe Yan seemed a little taken back by her anger, expecting to see it more from Bai Qian. "Where's all this anger coming from?" He looked at her playfully. "Forget it. Forget it. Since I've made you angry I'll have to give you a treasured item to alleviate your anger. Here, I'll give you this fan." He held out the simple fan. "It was painted by the Water King of the West Sea himself. You lucked out."
While Bai Li was not usually one for fans, preferring flutes instead, but she couldn't help but admire the painting on it. The fan had a beautiful painting of the Ten-Miles of Peach Tree Woods. It reminded her of home. "Giving me gifts as a way to appease my anger, what am I a child? But since I like the painting I will accept it." She closed the fan, in a much better mood than before. "What were you two doing in the West Sea?"
"A few days ago, we ran into the Second Prince of the West Sea. He said he wanted to ask Zhe Yan for a favor, so we went to the West Sea." Bai Zhen had been the one to track down Zhe Yan.
Bai Li's attention was grabbed at the moment her brother mentioned the Second Prince. "What favor did Senior need from Zhe Yan?" Zhe Yan looked a little surprised, glancing between her and Ye Hua. "Oh? So you've told Ye Hua everything? Little Five had us old guys hide you two's connection to Kunlun Mountain and all those events all these years. Now we don't have to lie anymore."
"It couldn't be kept secret after Xuan Nu stole Mo Yuan's body. Ye Hua helped Fifth Sister and I retrieve him." Bai Li glanced over at Ye Hua. Since they returned he had not once mentioned anything about Mo Yuan. She wondered what was going through his mind.
Zhe Yan seemed to sense Bai Li's somber mood change and decided to end the topic. "Let's not talk about that now. Your brother and I are quite tired after coming back from West Sea. Why don't we go inside the Fox Den?"
"I didn't expect you to get angry over words. High God Zhe Yan sure is capable." Ye Hua said as they walked back to the Fox Den. "Zhe Yan and Fourth Brother raised me. It's not a big deal if I get angry at him nor if I act a little childish. They are used to seeing me that way. But if a stranger or a younger immortal were offended me, I wouldn't get angry over it." Bai Li couldn't help but remember that she spent more time with Fourth Brother and Zhe Yan than she ever did with her parents. It was probably why she was more comfortable around them.
When Ye Hua stopped walking, Bai Li paused to look at him. "I wish you would bicker with me about everything." Ye Hua's comment confused her. "Why would you want me to argue with you?" When a couple argued it usually meant their relationship was bad and they were incompatible.
"Aunt!" Migu came running towards her. He bowed to Ye Hua before he continued on with what he was going to say. "Ghost Lord Li Jing is here to see Aunt Bai Qian. He's already waited for half the day at the entrance. Can you convince her to see him?"
Bai Li narrowed her eyes, wonder what the man wanted now. Ye Hua must have had the same thoughts as her. "What does he want?"
"What perfect timing. What luck I have today. I just so happen to be here when it's so lively." Zhe Yan seemed amused at all the drama going on at the Fox Den. It made Bai Li roll her eyes at the old phoenix. "He doesn't get that Qian Qian wants nothing to do with him. I had hoped that when they spoke in the North that would be the end of it." She waved Migu off. "Fine. I will try to speak with her, but I make no promises."